Grade Level: Primary/Elementary School

Philosophy of Teams

Description: In this lesson, educators will ask students a number of questions about a sports team undergoing different types of hypothetical changes over the course of an offseason. The questions, which discuss player replacements to uniform and location switches, invite students to grapple with the question, “how much change has to occur over the course Philosophy of Teams

Does Grammar Matter?

stack of English grammar books

Lesson Overview Has anyone ever corrected you on your grammar? In this lesson, teachers will encourage students to explore their use of grammar. We all use it, but why does it matter? In looking further into their grammar use, students will consider the role that grammar plays in different people’s lives. This lesson breaks down Does Grammar Matter?

Me and You

Ripples in water reflecting sky

Start off the activity by talking to the students about relationships. Questions: Who here has someone they’re close with? (whether that be a friend or family member) Are there any other people you have a close relationship with? Why do you think you’re close to them? What is a relationship? After introducing the idea of Me and You

Where are you?

Signpost in country side

Warm Up Activity: Where do you live? Ask students the following questions: What street do you live on? What town do you live in? What state do you live in? What country do you live in? What do you live near? What is around you? Reflect on this activity by reminding them that there are Where are you?

What Kind of Question is This?

hand pointing at writing on chalkboard "What where when why how who"

This lesson works well for early elementary school students (kindergarten-3rd grade) and can be used either in a classroom or online. This is a helpful activity to do with elementary aged students to help differentiate between philosophical and other kinds of questions. This helps build their skills of identifying and asking philosophical questions during philosophy What Kind of Question is This?

Who is the Teacher?

teaching point to globe surround by students

Who is the Teacher?  Topics: Questions, children, philosophical skills, epistemic justice Grade Level: Elementary, Middle School Time: 30 Minutes Objectives: This activity is helpful to do in the early months of working with a new community of philosophical inquiry. It is designed to help students think about both what it means to be a teacher Who is the Teacher?

“Old Roger is Dead”

Whole Sequence Breakdown: Welcome and warm-up (c. 5-10 minutes) Brief initial discussion (10 minutes) Learning of the song and ring play (20 minutes) Whole-group share and discussion (20 minutes) Possible extensions (for extra time, or additional lessons) Welcome and Warm-up Welcome students and share any updates, or follow-up on points from the last session. Warm-up “Old Roger is Dead”

“I wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” by Nina Simone

Whole Sequence Breakdown: Welcome and warm-up (c. 5-10 minutes) Brief introduction to Nina Simone and the song (5 minutes) Listening to “I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free)” with Lyrics (5 minutes) Small group discussions (c. 10-15 minutes) Whole-group share and discussion (20 minutes) Possible extensions (for extra time, or additional “I wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” by Nina Simone

“Respect” by Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin signing

Objectives: To explore the ways Aretha Franklin’s song “Respect” can inspire and facilitate philosophic discussions of respect, especially with regards to identity. This lesson is designed primarily as a way of using music to do moral philosophizing; however, it could easily overlap with philosophizing about music and/or aesthetics simultaneously. Whole Sequence Breakdown: Welcome and warm-up “Respect” by Aretha Franklin

What is Your Hope?

This lesson can be used either in a classroom or online. Description: A Missouri middle school put the question “What is your hope?” on a chalkboard outside school before people arrived. They made a video of the ways students and teachers responded to the question. For this session, you can begin with the video (available What is Your Hope?